The UFC is hitting the pause button, following the recent limits placed by President Donald Trump on people gathering.
UFC president Dana White appeared on ESPN to explain what the future holds for the promotion.
For now, the next three planned events – including one set for this Saturday – will be postponed. The UFC held UFC Fight Night 170 this past weekend, and had been in talks to move this Saturday’s card to Oklahoma to be held.
However, when Trump declared no meetings of 10 or more people, White pulled the plug.
“We have no choice now but to postpone these fights. So we’re postponing the next three events, but Tony Ferguson versus Khabib, April 18, is still on and that will still happen.”@danawhite joined @SportsCenter to address the postponement of upcoming UFC events. pic.twitter.com/FxKOAKnOEv
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 16, 2020
The next big UFC fight is set for April 18 with Khabib Nurmagomedov defending his lightweight title against Tony Ferguson. While it will not take place in Brooklyn as planned, White is still going to hold the event regardless of what happens.
“These three fight (cards) are postponed, they will still happen,” White said. “Khabib-Tony is on for the original date. We’re going to keep fighting. No crowd, whatever it takes.”
“Probably not even going to be in the United States, but this fight’s going to happen.”
Breaking: The UFC’s next three events — scheduled for March 21, March 28, and April 11 — have been postponed, Dana White communicated to his staff on Monday, via email. (via @bokamotoESPN | @espnmma)
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— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 16, 2020